USC Trojans: Laremy Tunsil

SAN ANTONIO -- ESPN 150 outside linebacker Mike Mitchell (Plano, Texas/Prestonwood Christian) isn’t big on speaking publicly. He’d rather let his game do the talking -- and it speaks volumes.

On Monday, the 6-foot-5, 222-pound linebacker officially confirmed that he will announce his college plans during Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Oregon, Texas A&M and Ohio State are his three finalists.

Ruben Jimenez (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.): Blair I'm hearing rumors that Ty Isaac has decommitted and has committed to Notre Dame. Any truth to this rumor? There has been speculation that SC has cooled on Isaac because of his injury. Any information?

Courtesy of Kim Jenkin-PalaferriA visit to UCLA has given Eddie Vanderdoes a lot to chew on, but he remains committed to the Trojans.

WeAreSC: I spoke to Isaac this week, and he told me his in-home visit with assistant coach John Baxter “went well” and he’s still firmly committed. Isaac seemed disappointed he won’t be able to enroll early at USC, which he had planned on doing since committing in May. The shoulder injury that bothered Isaac throughout his senior season has progressed and he expects to be at 100 percent for the Jan. 4 Under Armour All-American game. Plus, Trojans commits Eldridge Massington (knee) and Kylie Fitts (wrist) have suffered more worrisome injuries this fall. Isaac has played through the pain, which indicates it's not serious.

RecruitingNation has summoned its writers from around the country to compile a list of the top 10 battles for elite football recruits leading up to February's signing day. We'll update our rankings periodically to reflect a change in a player's status (i.e., new offers, trimmed-down list or a positive/negative official visit).

Our writers have debated the list for weeks, but we value your input as well. Voice your opinion on Twitter (@RecruitingESPN) using#BlueChipBattles or vote for which player should hold the No. 1 spot on Facebook.

With several of the nation's top football recruits taking both official and unofficial visits last week, our experts at RecruitingNation made some major tweaks to our top 10 recruiting battles with five new entrants in the fold. The top two remain the same, however, as Robert Nkemdiche and Laremy Tunsil maintain their spots as the two most impactful players on the recruiting scene.

Jeremy: Where does 'SC ultimately project Kylie Fitts? Seems like he can grow into a Shaun Cody pass-rushing DT-type.

Fitts has been recruited as a defensive end, so the assumption is that's where he projects best at the college level. But you're correct, Jeremy, Fitts does have the capabilities to be a superb interior pass-rusher. I saw him in person last week against Vista Murrieta, and he lined up inside on a number of occasions. Fitts is versatile, yes, but remember: The Trojans have commitments from the second- and fifth-ranked defensive tackles in Kenny Bigelow (Elkton, Md./Eastern Christian Academy) and Eddie Vanderdoes (Auburn, Calif./Placer). If Fitts turns out to be better suited in the interior, then he'll make the switch. For now, though, he appears to be an end.

Scholarship limitations didn't prevent USC from filling its recruiting class more than six months before national signing day, and it likely won't hinder its pursuit of elite talent.

The Trojans' class sits at 18 players -- eight of whom intend to enroll next spring -- with three counting toward the 2012 group. That would leave only 10 available spots when the first Wednesday of February rolls by, but a lot can happen between now and then.

Here are five top athletes who are still in contact with USC and could end up wearing the cardinal and gold.

Matthew D. (Burlingame, Calif.): When is Robert Nkemdiche visiting and is there a realistic shot Troy lands him? Even though there is always drama with top recruits, Robert seems well grounded and a good kid who would fit in easily here.

Nkemdiche (Longanville, Ga./Grayson), the nation's top-ranked recruit, has said he wants to see some schools out West, namely USC and Oregon. But, as he told ESPN's Kipp Adams this week, the chance Nkemdiche de-commits from Clemson is "probably slim to none." It may not be realistic but if this five-star makes it to Los Angeles, you can bet the Trojans will throw everything at him.

Mike Hugill (San Jose, Calif.): Blair, as thrilled as I am to see our Trojans cherry pick for the next recruiting class, I am reminded that they are 17- and 18-year-olds and very impressionable to other schools' promises. What does SC do between now and February to keep this incredible class together for signing day?

Schools are fighting to get in with five-star offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (Lake City, Fla./Columbia), but only five programs will be lucky enough to host the No. 3 prospect in the country for an official visit this fall.

“I will be taking official visits to Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss and USC,” Tunsil said.

Garry Paskwietz/WeAreSC.comWith his cousin and high school teammate, Chris Hawkins, already committed to USC, perhaps Tahaan Goodman will be convinced to take the Trojans' last scholarship in the 2013 class.

“If defensive end Jason Hatcher commits to USC tomorrow, the Trojans will only have one scholarship left for the class of 2013. List three players you would consider for that final spot and why.”

Garry Paskwietz

DL Torrodney Prevot (Houston/Taylor): It appears as if LSU is the leading school for Prevot right now but he could get a full court press from the SC coaches to gauge his interest in the Trojans.

Derek Tyson/ESPN.comFive-star offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil now has a top three of Florida, Georgia and Alabama.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Five-star offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil (Lake City, Fla./Columbia) visited Alabama, Georgia and Florida over the last week. The 6-foot-6, 295-pound tackle named a top three after his visit to Florida on Sunday.

"I would say they are my top three," Tunsil said of the three schools he visited. "It's a tie right now with all of them."

Tunsil, who camped at Alabama last weekend, visited Georgia on Friday and Saturday before heading to Gainesville on Sunday. The No. 3-ranked player in the country said he was impressed by what Georgia had to offer.